Healing Ink Visits Pulse Orlando Two Years Later

Ink For a Cause Hits Home For Pulse Survivors

"A Peace Activist and Tattooed Woman bring two Chicano artists, a Brooklynite, Miley Cyrus’ Buddy, Hair Guy, Hippie Girl, Biker Boy and a Freemason to Israel. NO, this isn’t the beginning to a weird drawn out joke, it’s the start of a radical initiative using the world’s most taboo art form in the world’s most taboo place to tattoo taboo subjects on taboo people in a way that will dramatically change the perception of tattooing and methods for healing."

This is the biographical statement of a non-profit project called Healing Ink, a branch of the organization Artists 4 Israel created Craig Dershowitz and Nichole East. The group has brought art and healing around the world, bringing closure to everyone from 9/11 survivors and victims of terrorism in Israel. They recently made a special trip to Orlando Florida to tattoo the survivors and first responders of the Pulse nightclub shooting. On June 12th, 2016 a shooter killed 49 people and wounded 53 in an attack on Pulse nightclub. Pulse is a gay night club and it is believed that the attack was motivated by homophobia and transphobia. Artists 4 Israel brought some of the leading tattooers in the industry to Orlando and INKED got a chance to see the healing ink in motion. Take a look at the gallery below to learn more about the event and watch the video for yourself.

Check Out the Video

What does Artists 4 Israel have to do with the Pulse shooting?

Photography and Videography by Linneah Anders

Because this was yet another day that showed us the struggle against extremism, hate and violence is not just an Israeli struggle. —Craig Dershowitz